What is Northcott Harmony Club?
The concept was to visit the centre on a weekly basis to interact with the tenants from Northcott and provide them with interesting and varied activities. It was my priority to talk with and listen to the tenants so as to provide activities that responded directly to their desires.
We started playing Darts as that was an old favourite and we engaged in many art and craft pursuits. Over the weeks we have drawn pictures, learnt origami, designed and made T- shirts, constructed jewellery, enjoyed a picnic and Milkcrate theatre show and generally had a great time together. The excursion to Glebe was really successful and planted the seed for community collaboration.

I have been assisted every Friday by some fantastic TAFE welfare students, Julie and Tom and a TAFE graduate volunteer Nicoletta. Their energy and commitment to the group has been invaluable.

Communities in Harmony launch

After discussing different ways to celebrate the beginning of the Harmony project with the tenants at Northcott community centre we decided a BBQ was the best idea. It allowed us to keep the occasion casual, fun and accessible to all as well as promising delicious food, always a great pulling card when trying to get people together. The event would provide a platform to let the broader community now what was on offer for them in relation to TAFE outreach courses and community centre activities.
The Harmony club began organising the BBQ as a part of their Friday Afternoon activities. Many different people were involved as we wanted to provide an exciting and interesting day. Setting a date that suited everyone proved difficult as it always does however after some date juggling it was set to happen on April 18th. This allowed us to do some extra advertising at the Surry Hills Festival a week prior.

We were able to use the BBQ that is on site at the centre, with most of the food provided by TAFE outreach; Oz Harvest contributed a great afternoon tea. The Harmony club were determined to have interesting and diverse entertainment. Unfortunately the Chinese opera singers were not available nor the Russian dancers we approached, however we managed to secure The Swish Dudes and a wonderful flutist who gave an excellent and interactive performance on the day. We also asked to TAFE music department to help us with the sound system which they did, also providing a DJ and a singer songwriter who both performed on the day.

Another activity on Friday afternoon was making the posters for the BBQ. We started with a template of the Living in Harmony logo and the group individualised them by responding to the question: What does Harmony mean to you? We put the posters up all over the estate and surrounding area. They proved very successful, I spoke to several people who had seen the posters in their building and were curious enough to come along and see what the project was about.

The plan had been to set the BBQ outside in the courtyard, however the gods of weather were not smiling on us, the 18th was a miserable wet, rainy, windy day so we moved inside. This proved a boon for the day. The forced proximity meant everyone had to talk to each other, interact and have fun. There was a fantastic atmosphere to the whole day. Of course the cooking was still done outside, relatively undercover, by some brave souls and the food was delicious.

The feeling on the day was one of real community. Everyone worked together in the cramped conditions and respected each other and the event. The Swish Dudes sang up a storm and the flute recital included the whole audience. In addition to the planned performances we were also blessed with some wonderful impromptu performance. Michael sang a beautiful Maori lullaby, Audrey sang two old hits and Sandra sang a song of her own composition. We were also lucky enough to hear the talent fostered by the TAFE music course as Dylan played a powerful acoustic set. Many thanks have to go to Phil Snow for his efforts in setting up the P.A.
It was a fantastic day and a real testament to the organising power of the Harmony Club. I met many new tenants on the day and have been able to keep up contact them.

This is an interview that my TAFE welfare students conducted:

1. Whose idea was it for the BBQ?
I was planning to organise some kind of celebration to launch the Harmony project at the Northcott community centre. After chatting with the resident, and talking to Sandy in particular we I decided a BBQ was probably the best option. It allowed the celebration to remain casual and accessible to all residents. It also had the magic pull in community work of free food.
2. What was the main purpose of the BBQ?
The main purpose of the BBQ was to let resident know that TAFE Outreach was going to be a presence in the centre this year. To let them know that our project was promoting Harmony in the community and also to let them know about the many course available to them through TAFE Outreach. I was basically and introduction and served as an official launch for the Communities in Harmony Project.
3. What was difficult with the organising of the BBQ?
Not really, however we did have to push the date back several times in order to fit in with people’s busy schedules. Once the date was set I negotiated with the residents to make sure the communal BBQ would be available and managed to purchase all the food relatively cheaply. I enlisted the help of the TAFE music department for the setting up of the sound system and for some music and entertainment.
4. Were there any difficulties on the day?
Unfortunately the weather was horrible on the day-raining, windy and cold. However this ended up being a blessing in disguise for once we were forced to make inside proximity promoted interaction and a very positive atmospheres was created.

5. Would you be willing to organise or be involved in another BBQ for the centre/residents?
Absolutely, in fact we have already pencilled in another BBQ at the beginning of spring, hopefully outside this time with kite flying etc.
6. Is there any new programs coming up in the near future?
There aren’t really any new programs as such because all the activities are under the umbrella of the Communities in harmony Project/program. In July Drama workshops will be starting with the hope that the residents already engaged with the activities will attend. I will be conducting these in Glebe with Social housing tenants from that area attending as well.
7. Where you satisfied with the turn out on the day?
I was extremely happy with the turnout on the day there were many new faces and everyone got on very well. As I mentioned before there was an extremely positive vibe all day and there were many impromptu performances, a beautiful Maori lullaby for example. All who came enjoyed the food and many expressed interest in the TAFE outreach courses we were explaining
8. What was the relevance of the BBQ with regards to Harmony day?
I guess the relevance in regards to Harmony day is this, Harmony Day is organised by the government to promote harmony in the community at large. The grant we (TAFE outreach) received for the running of this project was given from the Harmony fund if you will. Therefore our aim is to create as many opportunities to promote and foster harmony in the community and the BBQ at Northcott certainly achieved this aim.